New strategy Teaching model aims to reach struggling students earlier. PAGE 22 Acting school Theatre academy founder envisions arts hub downtown. PAGE 30 Ship righted Clippers hockey team pulls out two wins after initial loss. PAGE 7
Lotto for Life PAGE 3
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2013
www.nanaimobulletin.com
VOL. 24, NO. 108
www.countryclubcentre.com
Idle No More protest set for Maffeo Sutton BY NIOMI PEARSON THE NEWS BULLETIN
NIOMI PEARSON/THE NEWS BULLETIN
Cody Clark and Tara-May Strueby welcome their first born son, Chase, into the world. He was born on Jan. 2, making the couple the first Nanaimo family to start the new year with a baby in 2013.
Baby’s late arrival in time for new year Clark-Strueby family first local couple to welcome child in 2013 at Nanaimo hospital BY NIOMI PEARSON THE NEWS BULLETIN
What was supposed to be a Christmas Day miracle turned into a New Year’s affair to remember for Cody Clark and Tara-May Strueby. Weighing eight pounds, 15 ounces and a measuring a whopping 22 inches, their first-born son Chase Clark made his big entrance into the world Jan. 2, after 30 hours of labour. And while his late debut came several hours after the birth of the first baby born at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital in 2013, little Chase is still the first New Year’s baby born to a Nanaimo family. “I don’t know if it’s fully sunk in yet,” said Strueby, of motherhood. “I don’t think words can really describe it, it’s amazing.” When the babe failed to show by Dec. 25, his due date, Strueby and her fiancé were instructed to visit the hospital on Jan. 1 for induction.
“I had a really tough labour,” said Strueby, 24. “It was 30 hours of no sleep.” Clark, 25, said it was one of the most amazing but tiring experiences of his life. A pipefitter by trade, he said he was grateful for the opportunity to be home for the birth of his son. “When her water broke was when it became real for me,” he said. “I was the water boy, passing water around and holding her legs up while she was pushing – just doing everything she needed to feel comfortable.” After Chase was born, he was taken to the neonatal intensive care unit for several hours – the umbilical cord had become lodged around his neck. It only took a few hours though, before he was back in mom’s arms for good.
“The first moment they put him on my chest was the special moment you feel like you’ve just become a mom and you’ve finally brought this little life into the world,” Strueby said. Baby Chase was conceived after a five-week trip the couple took to Thailand last January. The high school sweethearts, who had been together eight years since they attended John Barsby Secondary School, decided it was time to get married and start a family. They will be tying the knot in Nanaimo this summer. Until then, the plan is to stay happy and healthy as can be, Strueby said. The first baby born at NRGH, Verena Anneliese Strougal, arrived at 10:08 p.m. on New Years Day, to Barbara Strougal, of the Comox Valley.
“
I don’t think words can really describe it.
reporter3@nanaimobulletin.com
The Idle No More movement has awakened in Nanaimo. Following the success of two demonstration rallies at Woodgrove Centre and in Ladysmith, another is set to take place Saturday (Jan. 12) at Maffeo Sutton Park. Idle No More, the grassroots movement inspired, in part, by the hunger strike of Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence, is about more than the protest of omnibus Bill C-45, which, among other things, infringes on treaty rights, said Thomas Jones. Jones, a Snuneymuxw First Nations member, said there is hope that Idle No More may be the catalyst for strengthened relations between First ◆ IDLE NO MORE Nations comdemonstration at munities and Maffeo Sutton Park Canada. Saturday (Jan. 12), “We’re here, beginning at 11 a.m. we want and deserve to be heard,” he said. Jones has been asked by organizer Jason Connor to attend the Jan. 12 rally, and plans to show his support in full regalia. “We’re not about anything other than moving forward in a good way,” he said. “The biggest thing to me is the only way we’re going to move forward is to work together.” Spence has been on a hunger strike since Dec. 11, to bring attention to First Nations’ issues and Canada’s treaty relationship. Prime Minister Stephen Harper agreed to meet with First Nations leaders on Friday (Jan. 11), but Spence stated she would continue her fast until the meeting took place. “The biggest concern for our people right now is the chief,” Jones said. “We’re definitely showing our support for her.” The Idle No More Nanaimo rally starts with a gathering in the Maffeo Sutton Parking lot at 11 a.m. From there, the gathering will make its way through town singing songs, and following that, people will be invited to share their thoughts on the issue. Jones said he anticipates the event could last up to two hours. ◆ See ‘HUNDREDS’ ‘ /4
QQuickfacts